Experience: Patricia S. Harris is a vice president of McDonald's USA and global chief diversity officer of McDonald's Corporation. In this position she leads a team responsible for the development and implementation of diversity strategies throughout McDonald's worldwide. Harris joined McDonald's in 1976 in the corporation's legal department. In 1977, she was named compensation analyst in Human Resources and was later promoted to Human Resources Supervisor and Manager. She advanced to affirmative action manager in 1985, staff director in 1989, home office director in 1993, and department director in 1996. She was promoted to assistant vice president in 1997 and her current position as vice president/chief diversity officer on April 1, 2001. She was appointed to the position of global chief diversity officer in February 2006. Harris has received several industry awards including the Elliott Hospitality "Motivator of the Year," "Woman of the Year" by the Roundtable for Women in Foodservice, and the National Restaurant Association/Education Foundation's "Salute to Excellence" award. In Chicago she received the Metropolitan YMCA Black & Hispanic Achievers Award, the King Legacy Award from the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, Today's Expo for Black Women "Phenomenal Woman" award, the "Women at the Top of the Game" award, the 100 Black Men of Chicago's "Youth Achievement Award," the "Harold Washington Professional Achievement Award" from the Roosevelt University Alumni Association, and Chitrahar "Unity Award." Harris was also named one of the "Top 10 Diversity Champions in the Country" by Working Mother magazine. At McDonald's she has received several leadership awards, including the President's Award among several others.